The foam really does matter.

Earlier, I posted about when it's desirable to have a thick foamy head on your beer. I researched how this is achieved, where it's usually found, and what it looks like when the glass has varying amounts of beer foam and how those different amounts of foam affect the beer drinking experience. But, I hadn't actually seen it or experienced it in person.

Until now.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, we visited a brewery called Crafthaus Brewery. They have two locations: the brewery, which is in the nearby city of Henderson, and a taproom in the Las Vegas Arts District. We stopped at both.

We went to the brewery first. When I saw they were serving a Czech-style Pilsner with a side-pull handle, I have to say I geeked out a little. This is how it's actually listed on the menu:

Czech Plz- LUKR Handle | *Slow Pour

Not only do they identify the beer but they name the manufacturer of the handle that will pull the beer! LUKR not only makes tap handles, they also offer classes on how to properly pour a beer under a program known as the Perfect Pour Academy. These people are serious about their beer.

I knew I was in for a treat and Crafthaus did not disappoint. It was more than a perfect beer; it was an experience. The beertender didn't mind answering all of our questions and explained that the Czech Plz Milk Crate, also on their menu, is a crate of six small bottles filled with just the pilsner's foam. He also explained that pouring just the foam into the bottles takes time to do properly. We opted to have just the pints but I remain curious and will try the milk crate next time.

We also visited their tap house location in the Las Vegas Arts District and ordered pints of the Czeck Plz. It was good but not as good as at the Henderson location. That could be due to any number of reasons but I remain a fan of the brewery, the Czech Plz, and the craft that goes into pouring a Czech Pilsner with a side-pull faucet. Keep an eye out for the side-pour handle and if you see one, consider ordering whatever comes out of it.

As a side note, foam is important for other beers poured from traditional pull handles as well. The foam isn't just something that takes the place of more beer in the glass. It's meant to be part of the experience and therefore a well poured beer will always have a small amount of foam.

While foam is a byproduct of fermentation, it isn't just the burps and farts of the yeast doing all that work. There are many different kids of yeast strains which contribute to the aroma and overall taste of beer. So, while the side-pull handle produces a specific kind of foam, traditionally on a specific style of beer, all beers should have some foam to enhance the consumer's experience.

Conclusion: Don't be afraid of the foam! And when you have the opportunity to try a Czech-style Pilsner drawn with a side-pull handle, dive in enthusiastically!